The former police commander of Lambeth will not face a disciplinary tribunal over drug allegations - and has asked for his old job back.

Commander Brian Paddick, Britain's highest-ranking openly gay officer, was moved from his £93,000 post after allegations were made by former boyfriend James Renolleau in March.

I absolutely loved the job, and given the opportunity, I would grab it with
both hands

Commander Brian Paddick

The commander, who pioneered a "softly, softly" approach to cannabis possession, was accused of smoking the drug and allowing it to be smoked in his home, sparking an investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

But in October it was announced there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Mr Paddick, who had always denied the allegations.

A report by Deputy Chief Constable Gordon Clark of Humberside Police, who carried out a four-month inquiry into the claims, was sent to the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA).

But on Tuesday the MPA announced the case would not be referred to a tribunal hearing.

Responding to the MPA's decision, Mr Paddick said: "Why have they made me endure eight months of hell?"

"Being the Borough Commander for Lambeth was the job that I always wanted to
do," he told BBC2's Newsnight.

"I absolutely loved the job, and given the opportunity, I would grab it with
both hands."

'Incredibly supportive'

Mr Paddick said he would request the chance to discuss his future with
the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens.

He said: "The commissioner has been incredibly supportive throughout this matter but I
haven't had the opportunity to discuss with him why, after all of this, I
cannot go back and do that job again.

"I think it's very important that I discuss the whole case with him."

Mr Paddick has now been appointed to help implement the National Intelligence Model, the Metropolitan Police's blueprint for reducing crime.

But supporters have called for him to be reinstated in Lambeth.

Mr Paddick described his current role as "important" but
"not the job that I would choose".

In a letter to Mr Paddick, the MPA said he had "demonstrated lack of judgement" in allowing cannabis to be smoked on his premises and failing to take positive action to deal with it.

It also criticised him for failing to inform his superiors that his partner was on bail.

The MPA said if he found himself in a similar position they would expect him to "seek the guidance of a senior officer".